Lint sweeper

ABSTRACT

A tacky roller flooring cleaning employing disposable tacky material. An elongated handle at right angles to the axis of the roller provides a convenient tool. A protective hanger is provided.

United States Patent Sohmer July 3, 1973 LINT SWEEPER 2,624,060 1/1953 McKenzie 14/104 A 3,623,179 11 1971 R th 15 104A [76] Inventor: Murray Sohmer, 54-45-Netherland 3.421,]70 51969 Tgomas km 5204A Avenue Riverdale- 19471 3,342,325 9/1967 Dreher 15/104 A 1 1 Filed: J y 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] 6,611,937 2/1968 Netherlands 15/104 A Appl. No.: 161,362

[52] US. Cl. .l. 15/104 A, 15/143 B [51] Int. Cl A471 13/00 [58] Field of Search. 15/104 A, 143 B- 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,158,887 12/1964 Kanbar c1111. 15/104 A 789,258 5/1905 Co'nnolly 2,592,969 4/1952 Stachowiak 15/104 A Primary Exa'minerLeon G. Machlin Attorney-Leonard H. King [57] ABSTRACT A tacky roller flooring cleaning employing disposable tacky material. An elongated handle at right angles to the axis of the roller providesa convenient tool. A 1910- tective hanger is provided.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 3 I915 3 742.5 7

IN VENTOR. MUPRA Y SOHHER A r fOR/VE Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous devices are available for removing dust, lint and other forms of loose, unwanted objects from a carpet or floor. Large vacuum cleaning devices are commonly used for this purpose. However, while they are very effective they are generally bulky, and require set-up time and effort in operation. As a result, the use of the vacuum cleaner is relegated to occasional, general cleanup of the area.

For frequent cleaning of carpets and floors, brooms and carpet sweepers are commonly used. These are somewhat effective, but carpet sweepers are inconvenient to use-and when using a broom the problem of collecting the lint, dust and other particles, requires great effort and additional equipment. A further problem of these types of devices is that dust, lint and ashes, for example, are not entirely collected by the cleaning device and especially when using a broom, the particles get swept into the air and pollute the area.

Lint removers for clothing and fabrics have been constructed using a sheet of adhesive material to roll along the fabric to be cleaned and remove the foreign particles which adhere to the lint remover. However, none of the available lint removers can feasibly be used for purposes other than for clothing and typical fabric usage.

Accordingly, the principle object of this invention is to provide a cleaning device for floors and carpets using an adhesive sheet material on a roller for removing lint, dust, and other objectionable particles.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved lint remover for use on carpets and floors which will be inexpensive to manufacture and adapted to be sold at prices which will encourage the use of such devices. 1

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a I I for a floor cleaning device which has'a roller of pressure sensitive adhesive material used for cleaning.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in-which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cleaning device in accordance with the invention; I

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken longitudinally through thelower assembly of the cleaning device;

FIGS..3A and 3B are plan and end views, respectively, of a roller used in conjunction with this invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan and end views, respectively, of holding caps;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a holding assembly;

FIG. 6 is an end view of another type of holding cap; and

FIG. 7 is a prospective view of a coverused with the device of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the cleaning device in accordance with this invention constitutes a roller generally shown by numeral 10 rotatably mounted on a frame shown generally at 11 and having an elongated handle extending therefrom shown generally at 12. Handle 12 is shown to consist of two parts, an upper section 13 and a lower section 14, interconnected by means of a plastic brace 15. The total length of the handle is such that a user can comfortably hold one end thereof while the other end connected to the roller 10 is movable along a floor surface. The sections 13, 14 can be separated from each other by detaching at the brace 15. Section 14 is of sufficient length that a user can hold one end thereof while the-roller 10 at its opposite end is used to clean the floor surface of an automobile. Typically, the total length of the handle 12 is approximately 48 inches, with each section 13, 14 being of approximately 24 inches long. The handle 12 is removably connected to the frame 11 through a plastic brace pocket 16. Braces 15, 16 are constructed with internal threads and the sections of the handle inserted therein have matching threaded ends which securely connect to the braces. Other connecting means as is generally known in the art can also be used.

Framell comprises two arms l7, l8 outwardly extending from brace pocket 16 forming an inverted V shape. Inwardly projecting bearing pins 19 and 20 are respectively connected to the ends of the arms 17, 18. The bearing pins each fit respectively into end caps 21, 22, which are inserted into opposite ends of roller 10. Frame 11 is typically made of metal material which exhibits an inherent spring action, for example, chrome plated spring steel. The spring action is applied to the particular shape of the frame 11. By having the frame 11 in the form of an inverted V, bearing pins 19 and 20 exhibit a spring holding action therebetween.

Roller 10, shown in more detail in FIGS. 3A and 3B, is comprised of an open ended tube 23 having formed thereon a spiral wound pressure sensitive adhesive tape whose adhesive layer 25 is exposed on its exterior. After the exterior of the exposed portion of the adhesive becomes fully contaminated with lint and the like, the end of the tape can be grasped to pull off the used exposed portion and provide an unused exposed portion for further use. For this purpose,'the tape may have transverse perforations'spaced at intervals along its length, or may include additional cutting apparatus as is presently known in the'art.

The roller 10 is held in place by identical end caps 21 and 22, one of which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The end cap comprises a cylindrical'flange 26 having a raised cylindrical section of smaller diameter contained on one side thereof 27. Cylindrical section 27 has at least three protrusions spaced on its outer perimeter 28A, 28B, 28C forming extending prongs. The end cap has a hole 29 therethrough for receiving the bearing pin from the frame 11.

The end cap is designed such that cylindrical extending section 27 snugly fits within the open ended tube 23 of the roller and prongs 28A, 28B, 28C grasp the internal surface of tube 23. Because the radially extending prongs catch the roller, as pressure is applied on the device during its use for cleaning, the end caps will securely hold the roller in place.

The bearing pin fits loosely into the hole 29 to permit rotation between the end cap and the bearing pin. The bearing extends sufficiently into the roller through the end cap to prevent the roller from falling off the frame 11 during its use.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a section of the cleaning device of FIG. 1, showing the roller 10 having an inner surface 23 held by end cap 22 into which bearing pin 20 of arm 18 is inserted. Cylindrical section 27 including radially extending prongs 28A and 28B is telescoped within the roller 10 while the cylindrical flange 26 abuts the end of the roller to hold it in secured connection. Rotation is had by means of the roller 10 together with the end cap 22 moving around the bearing pin 20 which serves as an axle for rotation.

The roller 10 is replaceable by means of a refill of the type shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B. When replacing, arms l7, 18 are extended apart separating bearing pins 19, 20 from each other and permitting removal of the bearing pins from the holes in the end caps 21, 22. The roller and end caps are then removed from the frame 11. The end caps are taken out from the roller by applying a pulling force on them. The end caps are then inserted into the refill roller and the bearing pins 19, 20 are reinserted into the holes of the end caps 21, 22. The inherent spring effect of the frame 11 provides sufficient pressure to secure the new roller in its position.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of a holding assembly for the roller 10. A sleeve 30 is shown having end caps 31, 32, each of which is similar to that shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B. The end caps include a cylindrical flange 33 with a protruding cylindrical boss 34 having radially extending prongs 35 spaced along the perimeter of the cylindrical boss 34. A hole 36 extending through the end caps and partially through the sleeve 30 is adapted to receive the bearing pins extending from frame 11. One end cap 31 is securely connected to the sleeve 30. The other end cap 32 is removably connected to sleeve 30. As shown in FIG. 5, cylindrical boss 38 is made of solid material having a groove 37 into which the end of sleeve 30 snugly fits. Alternately, the groove 37 could be internally threaded and the end of sleeve 30 could be externally threaded to screw the end cap on to the sleeve 30.

The sleeve 30 is designed to snugly fit within the refill roller shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. In replacing a roller using the embodiment of FIG. 5, the bearing pins at the end of the frame 11 are removed from the end caps 31, 32 and removable end cap 32 is then removed from sleeve 30. The used roller is pulled off sleeve 30 and a new roller is securely placed on sleeve 30. End cap 32 is then reconnected on to sleeve 30 and the bearing pins at the end of frame 11 are reinserted into the holes available in the end caps.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a further embodiment of an end cap for use with the cleaning device of this invention. End cap 40 includes a cylindrical flange 41 and a raised cylindrical boss 42 having prongs 43A, 43B, radially extending outward from the boss and spaced around theperimeter thereof. Bushing 44 is in- Typically, the roller 10 is made of a cylinder of at.

least 1 foot length by approximately 8 inches in circumference. The steel wire forming the frame 11 is chrome plated spring steel of one-fourth inch stock. The end caps are constructed of plastic and are of about 1 inch in diameter. The handle is typically constructed of two sections of 24 inches each and the braces for connecting the sections of handle as well as connecting the handle to the frame are of plastic material.

FIG. 7shows a cover useful in connection with the cleaning device shown in FIG. 1. The cover is a thin cylinder whose length equals that of the roller and has a slit 51 splitting the cylinder across its length. On the sideopposite the slit, a flange portion 52 extends outward from the cylindrical shape and in which a hole 53 is formed. The cover is constructed of thin pliable plastic material and when not in use can be hung up by means of hole 53. To cover the roller, the roller is pushed between the slot 51 until it is inserted within the cover 50 and the sections abutting the slot encircle the roller.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be used by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device for removing foreign particles of lint, dust, and the like from floor and floor covering surfaces comprising:

a. a tube-like roller having a length of pressure sensitive adhesive material wound around the periphery of the roller;

. removable disc shaped end members enclosing the ends of the roller, each end member having a sleeve fitting into an end of the roller and a plural- .ity of prongs extending radially outward from the surface of said sleeve for engaging the internal surface of the roller, each end member having a central aperture therethrough;

. an inverted V-shaped holder having inwardly protruding pins extending from the ends of the legs thereof, said pins rotatably fitting into the end member apertures, said holder providing a spring force bowing said legs inwardly;

d. a handle extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roller and connected to the apex of said inverted V-shaped holder; and

e. covering means for said roller, said covering means comprised of a hollow, cylindrical member fitting over said roller and having a longitudinal slot there across for facilitating removal from said roller.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said covering means further includes a flange portion extending from one part of said cylindrical member, said flange portion including a hole therein.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical member is constructed of pliable thin plastic material.

- t a :r t 

1. A device for removing foreign particles of lint, dust, and the like from floor and floor covering surfaces comprising: a. a tube-like roller having a length of pressure sensitive adhesive material wound around the periphery of the roller; b. removable disc shaped end members enclosing the ends of the roller, each end member having a sleeve fitting into an end of the roller and a plurality of prongs extending radially outward from the surface of said sleeve for engaging the internal surface of the roller, each end member having a central aperture therethrough; c. an inverted V-shaped holder having inwardly protruding pins extending from the ends of the legs thereof, said pins rotatably fitting into the end member apertures, said holder providing a spring force bowing said legs inwardly; d. a handle extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roller and connected to the apex of said inverted V-shaped holder; and e. covering means for said roller, said covering means comprised of a hollow, cylindrical member fitting over said roller and having a longitudinal slot there across for facilitating removal from said roller.
 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said covering means further includes a flange portion extending from one part of said cylindrical member, said flange portion including a hole therein.
 3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical member is constructed of pliable thin plastic material. 